This year's Cowley Road Carnival parade is set to feature everything from drumming troops, to giant puppets, to salsa dancing.

The final details of the procession for Oxford's biggest public event, which is expected to attract up to 35,000 people and will be held on Sunday, July 6, are currently being hammered out.

And organisers are hoping, with up to 1,000 people dancing, marching and singing their way down the road, it will be the biggest and best ever.

Procession co-ordinator Ruth Pethybridge said: "We do have a fair idea about what will be in the parade but there are still a number of people who are getting back to us.

"We do not have big acts coming in from outside Oxford this time so it is really about celebrating the diversity of Oxford city."

Schools across the city have been getting to grips with the carnival theme, 'Masquerade', for months and planning to take up places in the parade complete with colourful costumes.

A number of different faith groups are set to be represented in the procession, which starts at the Plain at noon, along with groups including Oxford Drum Troupe, Free West Papua, Oxford Bangladeshi Association, and Kids 4 Kids.

For the first time there will also be a number of giant puppets marching their way along the route, including a Bengali tiger, a giant skeleton, a Venetian puppet and an African puppet.

Miss Pethybridge said: "People can expect the usual mix of colours and cultures from all over the world and an opportunity to watch and feel part of the carnival spirit on the day, dancing and enjoying music.

"There will be a few surprises as well."

Among the groups involved for the first time will be the Salsa Kids, led by George Martini, an initiative to teach salsa dancing in PE classes.

More than 30 youngsters from East Oxford Primary School, in Union Street, will be dancing the merengue along the procession route.

Mr Martini said: "It's looking great. They're all fantastic and they're all really looking forward to it.

"And it is not too late to don your mask and sashay your way along the road with all the other bemasked revellers."

For more details email procession@inevents.org